CHAPTER XXX
THE BLOCKADE RUNNER
"I intend to trust you with important despatches, Miss Grey--for I havegreat confidence in female ingenuity, as well as female heroism. Themeekest of women are miniature Granvelles; nature made you a race ofschemers. Pardon me if I ask, how you propose to conceal the despatches?It is no easy matter now to run the blockade of a Southern port, especiallyon the Gulf; and you must guard against being picked up by thePhilistines."
"I am fully aware of all the risk attending my trip; but if you will giveme the papers, prepared as I directed in my note from Paris, I will pledgemy life that they shall reach Richmond safely. If I am captured and carriedNorth, I have friends who will assist me in procuring a passport to theSouth, and little delay will occur. If I am searched, I can bid themdefiance. Give me the despatches, and I will show you how I intend to takethem."
Electra opened her trunk, took out a large portfolio, and selected from thedrawings one in crayon representing the heads of Michael Angelo's Fates.Spreading it out, face downward, on the table, she laid the closely-writtentissue paper of despatches smoothly on the back of the thin pasteboard;then fitted a square piece of oil-silk on the tissue missive, and having,with a small brush, coated the silk with paste, covered the whole with apiece of thick drawing paper, the edges of which were carefully glued tothose of the pasteboard. Taking a hot iron from the grate, she passed itrepeatedly over the paper, till all was smooth and dry; then in the centrewrote with a pencil: "Michael Angelo's _Fates_, in the Pitti Palace. CopiedMay 8th, 1861." From a list of figures in a small note-book she added thedimensions of the picture, and underneath all, a line from Euripides.
Her eyes sparkled as she bent over her work, and at length, lifting it forinspection, she exclaimed triumphantly--
"There, sir! I can baffle even the Paris detective, much more the lynx-eyedemissaries of Lincoln, Seward & Co. Are you satisfied? Examine it with yourown hands."
"Perfectly satisfied, my dear young lady. But suppose they should seizeyour trunk? Confiscation is the cry all over the North."
"Finding nothing suspicious or 'contraband' about me, except my Southernbirth and sympathies, they would scarcely take possession of the necessarytools of my profession. I have no fear, sir; the paper is fated to reachits destination."
"Are your other despatches sealed up pictorially?"
She laughed heartily.
"Of course not. We women are too shrewd to hazard all upon one die."
"Well--well! You see that we trust important data to your cunning fingers.You leave London to-morrow for Southampton; will arrive just in time forthe steamer. Good-bye, Miss Grey. When I get back to the Confederacy, Ishall certainly find you out. I want you to paint the portraits of my wifeand children. From the enviable reputation you have already acquired I amproud to claim you for my countrywoman. God bless you, and lead you safelyhome. Good-bye, Mr. Mitchell. Take care of her and let me hear from you onyour arrival."
From the hour when tidings of the fall of Sumter reached Europe, Electrahad resolved to cut short the studies which she had pursued so vigorouslysince her removal to Florence, and return to the South. But the tide oftravel set toward, not from European shores, and it was not until afterrepeated attempts to find some one homeward-bound, that she learned of EricMitchell's presence in Paris, and his intention of soon returning to W----.She wrote at once, requesting his permission to place herself under hiscare. It was cordially accorded; and, bidding adieu to Italy, she joinedhim without delay, despite the pleadings of Mr., Mrs. Young, and Louisa,who had recently arrived at Florence, and sincerely mourned a separationunder such painful circumstances.
Eric was detained in Paris by a severe attack of the old disease, butfinally reached London--whence, having completed their arrangements, theyset off for Southampton, and took passage in the _Trent_, which wasdestined subsequently to play a prominent part in the tangled role ofDiplomacy, and to furnish the most utterly humiliating of many chapters ofthe pusillanimity, sycophancy, and degradation of the Federal government.
The voyage proved pleasant and prosperous; and, once at Havana, Ericanxiously sought an opportunity of testing the vaunted efficiency of theblockade. Unfortunately, two steamers had started the week previous, one toNew Orleans, the other to Charleston; only sailing vessels were to befound, and about the movements of these, impenetrable mystery seemedwrapped. On the afternoon of the third day after their arrival, Eric,wearied with the morning's fruitless inquiry, was resting on the sofa atthe hotel, while Electra watched the tide of passers-by, when Willis,Eric's servant, came in quickly, and walked up to the sofa.
"Master, Captain Wright is here. I asked him to come and see you, and he iswaiting downstairs."
"Captain Wright?"
"Yes, sir; the captain you liked so much at Smyrna--the one who gave youthat pipe, sir."
"Oh, I remember! Yes--yes; and he is here? Well, show him up."
"Master, from the way he watches the clouds, I believe he is about to runout. Maybe he can take us?"
"Willis is invaluable to you, Mr. Mitchell," said Electra, as the negroleft the room.
"He is indeed. He is eyes, ears, crutches, everything to me, and neverforgets anything or anybody. He has travelled over half the world withme--could desert me, and be free at any moment he felt inclined to doso--but is as faithful now as the day on which I first left home with him."
"Ah, Captain! this is an unexpected pleasure. I am heartily glad to seeyou. Miss Grey--Captain Wright. Take a seat."
The captain looked about thirty, possibly older; wore a grey suit and broadstraw hat, and, when the latter was tossed on the floor, showed a handsome,frank, beaming face, with large, clear, smiling blue eyes, whose steadylight nothing human could dim. His glossy reddish-brown hair was thrustback from a forehead white and smooth as a woman's, but the lower portionof the face was effectually bronzed by exposure to the vicissitudes ofclimate and weather; and Electra noticed a peculiar nervous restlessness ofmanner, as though he were habitually on the watch.
"I am astonished to see you in Havana, Mitchell. Where did you come from?"
"Just from Paris, where bad health drove me, after I bade you good-bye atSmyrna. Have you a vessel here, captain?"
"Of course I have! Don't you suppose that I would be in the army if I couldnot serve my country better by carrying in arms and ammunition? I havealready made two successful trips with my schooner--ran in, despite theblockaders. I am negotiating for a steamer, but until I can get one ready Iintend to sail on."
"When did you arrive here last?"
"About ten days ago. They chased me for nearly fifteen miles, but I stoleout of sight before morning."
"When do you expect to leave here?"
The captain darted a swift, searching glance at Electra, rose and closedthe door, saying, with a light laugh--
"Take care, man! You are not exactly deer-hunting or crab-catching in afree country! Mind that, and talk softly. I am watched here; the Federalagents all know me, and there are several Federal vessels in port. When doI expect to leave? Well, to-night, if the weather thickens up, as I thinkit will, and there is evident sign of a storm. Most sailors wait for fairweather; we blockade runners for foul."
"Oh, Captain! do take us with you!" said Electra eagerly.
"What! In a rickety schooner, in the teeth of a gale? Besides, Miss, I amtaking a cargo of powder this trip, and if I am hard pressed I shall blowup vessel and all, rather than suffer it to fall into Yankee clutches. Youwould not relish going up to heaven after the fashion of a rocket, wouldyou?"
"I am willing, sir, to risk everything you threaten, rather than wait hereindefinitely."
"Can't you take us, Wright--Miss Grey, Willis, and myself? We are veryimpatient to get home."
"But I have no accommodation for passengers."
"But I suppose, sir, we could contrive to live a few days without eating ata regular table. I will take some cheese and crackers and fruit along in abasket, if that will ease y
our mind. Do waive your scruples, and consent totake charge of us."
"I add my prayers to hers. Wright, do take us. We shall not mind privationsor inconvenience."
"Well, then, understand distinctly that, if anything happens, you are notto blame me. If the young lady gets sea-sick, or freckled, or sunburnt, orstarved to death, or blown up, or drowned, or, worse than all, if theYankee thieves by the wayside take her as a prize, it will be no fault ofmine whatever, and I tell you now I shall not lay it on my conscience."
"Wright, to what part are you bound?"
"Ah! that is more than I can tell you. The winds must decide it. I can'ttry the Carolinas again this trip; they are watching for me too closelythere. New Orleans is rather a longer run than I care to make, and I shallkeep my eyes on Apalachicola and Mobile."
"What object have you in starting to-night, particularly in the face of agale?"
Again the captain's eyes swept round the room, to guard against any doorsthat might be ajar.
"As I told you before, I am watched here. The Federals have a distinguishedregard for me, and I have to elude suspicion, as well as run well, when Ido get out. Two hours ago a Federal armed steamer which has been coalinghere, weighed anchor, and has probably left the harbour, to cruise betweenthis place and Key West. As they passed, one of the crew yelled out to methat they would wait outside, and catch me certainly this time; that I hadmade my last jaunt to Dixie, etc. I have carefully put out the impressionthat I need some repairs, which cannot be finished this week; and have toldone or two confidentially that I could not leave until the arrival of acertain cargo from Nassau which is due to-morrow. That Puritanical craftwhich started off at noon does not expect me for several days, and to-nightI shall rub my fingers and sail out right in her wake. Ha! ha! how theywill howl! What gnashing of teeth there will be, when they hear of me in aConfederate port! And now about your baggage. Have everything ready; Iwill show Willis the right wharf, and at dark he must bring the trunksdown; I will be on the watch, and send a boat ashore. About sunset you andMiss Grey can come aboard, as if for a mere visit. I must go and make whatlittle preparation I can for your comfort."
Nothing occurred to frustrate the plan; Eric and Electra were cordiallyreceived, and at dusk Willis and the baggage arrived punctually. Theschooner was lying some distance from the wharf, all sails down, andapparently contemplating no movement. With darkness came a brisk,stiffening wind, and clouds shutting out even dim starlight. At teno'clock, all things being in readiness, the captain went on deck; very soonafter the glimmering lights of the city, then the frowning walls of Moro,were left behind, and the _Dixie_ took her way silently and swiftlyseaward.
About two o'clock, being unable to sleep, from the rocking of the vessel,Electra, knowing that Eric was still on deck, crept up the steps in thedarkness, for the lights had been extinguished. The captain was passing,but paused, saying in a whisper--
"Is that you, Miss Grey? Come this way and I will show you something."
He grasped her hand, led her to the bow, where Eric was sitting on a coilof rope, and, pointing straightforward, added in the same suppressed tone--
"Look right ahead--you see a light? The Philistines are upon us! Look well,and you will see a dark, irregular, moving mass; that is the steamer ofwhich I told you. They have found out at last that there is going to be allsorts of a gale, and as they can't ride it like my snug, dainty littleegg-shell, they are putting back with all possible speed. Twenty minutesago they were bearing down on me; now you see that they will pass to ourleft. What a pity they don't know their neighbours!"
"Do you think that they will not see you?"
"Certainly! with sails down, and lights out, there is nothing to be seen onsuch a night as this. There! don't you hear her paddles?"
"No. I hear nothing but the roar of the wind and water."
"Ah! that is because your ears are not trained like mine. Great Neptune!how she labours already! Now! be silent."
On came the steamer, which Electra's untrained eyes, almost blinded byspray, could barely discern; and her heart beat like a muffled drum as itdrew nearer and nearer. Once she heard a low, chuckling laugh ofsatisfaction escape the captain; then, with startling distinctness, theringing of a bell was borne from the steamer's deck.
"Four bells--two o'clock. How chagrined they will be to-morrow, when theyfind out they passed me without paying their respects!" whispered thecaptain.
Gradually the vessel receded, the dark mass grew indistinct, the lightflickered, and was soon lost to view, and the sound of the labouringmachinery was drowned in the roar of the waves.
Before he went back on deck, the captain made a comfortable place for heron the sofa in the little cabin. The storm increased until it blew aperfect hurricane, and the schooner rolled and creaked, now and thenshivering in every timber. It was utterly impossible to sleep, and Eric,who was suffering from a headache, passed a miserable night. In the whitesickly dawn the captain looked in again, and Electra thought that no ray ofsunshine could be more radiant or cheering than his joyous, noble face.
About noon the fury of the gale subsided, the sun looked out through riftsin the scudding clouds, and toward night fields of quiet blue were oncemore visible. By next morning the weather had cleared up, with a briskwesterly wind; but the sea still rolled heavily; and Eric, unable to bearthe motion, kept below, loth to trust himself on his feet. Electra stroveto while away the tedious time by reading aloud to him; but many a yearninglook was cast toward the deck, and finally she left him with a few books,and ran up to the open air.
On the afternoon of the third day after leaving Havana the captain said--
"Well, Miss Grey, I shall place you on Confederate soil to-morrow, Godwilling."
"Then you are going to Mobile?"
"Yes; I shall try hard to get in there early in the morning. You will knowyour fate before many hours."
"Do you regard this trial as particularly hazardous?"
"Of course; the blockading squadrons grow more efficient and expert everyday, and some danger necessarily attends every trial. Mobile ought to bepretty well guarded by this time."
The wind was favourable, and the schooner ploughed its way swiftly throughthe autumn night. The captain did not close his eyes; and just aboutdaylight Electra and Eric, aroused by a sudden running to and fro, rose,and simultaneously made their appearance on deck.
"What is the matter, Wright?"
"Matter! why, look ahead, my dear fellow, and see where we are. Yonder isSand Island lighthouse, and a little to the right is Fort Morgan. But thefleet to the left is hardly six miles off, and it will be a tight race if Iget in."
There was but a glimmering light, rimming the East, where two or threestars burned with indescribable brilliance and beauty, and in the grey hazeand wreaths of mist which curled over the white-capped waves, Electra coulddistinguish nothing. The air was chill, and she said, with a slightshiver--
"I can't see any lighthouse."
"There is, of course, no light there, these war-times; but you see thattall, white tower, don't you? There, look through my glass. That low darkobject yonder is the outline of the fort; you will see it more distinctlyafter a little. Now, look right where my finger points; that is theflag-staff. Look up overhead--I have hoisted our flag, and pretty soon itwill be a target for those dogs.
"Ha! Mitchell! Hutchinson! they see us! There is some movement among them.They are getting ready to cut us off this side of the Swash channel! Weshall see."
He had crowded on all sail, and the little vessel dashed through the lightfog as if conscious of her danger, and resolved to sustain herselfgallantly. Day broke fully, sea and sky took the rich orange tint whichonly autumn mornings give, and in this glow a Federal frigate and sloopslipped from their moorings, and bore down threateningly on the gracefulbounding schooner.
"But for the fog, which puzzled me about three o'clock, I should have runby unseen, and they would never have known it till I was safe in Navy cove.We will beat them, thou
gh, as it is, by about twenty minutes. An hour ago Iwas afraid I should have to beach her. Are you getting frightened, MissGrey?"
"Oh, no! I would not have missed this for any consideration. How rapidlythe Federal vessels move! They are gaining on us."
Her curling hair, damp with mist, clustered around her forehead; she hadwrapped a scarlet crape shawl about her shoulders, and stood with her redlips apart and trembling, watched the exciting race.
"Look at the frigate!"
There was a flash at her bow, a curl of white smoke rolled up, then a heavyroar, and a thirty-two pounder round shot fell about a hundred yards to theright of the vessel.
A yell of defiance rent the air from the crew of the _Dixie_--hats werewaved--and, snatching off her shawl, Electra shook its bright folds to thestiffening breeze, while her hot cheeks matched them in depth of colour.
Another and another shot was fired in quick succession, and so accurate hadthey become, that the last whizzed through the rigging, cutting one of thesmall ropes.
"Humph! they are getting saucy," said the captain looking up coolly, whenthe yells of his crew ceased for a moment; and, with a humorous twinkle inhis fine eyes, he added--
"Better go below, Miss Grey; they might clip one of your curls next time.The Vandals see you, I dare say, and your red flag stings their Yankeepride a little."
"Do you suppose they can distinguish me?"
"Certainly. Through my glass I can see the gunners at work, and of coursethey see you. Should not be surprised if they aimed specially at you. Thatis the style of New England chivalry."
Whiz--whiz; both sloop and frigate were firing now in good earnest, andone shell exploded a few yards from the side of the little vessel, tossingthe foam and water over the group on deck.
The boom of a columbiad from the fort shook the air like thunder, and gaveto the blockaders the unmistakable assurance, "Thus far, and no farther."
The schooner strained on its way; a few shot fell behind, and soon, underthe frowning bastions of the fort, whence the Confederate banner floated soproudly on the balmy Gulf breeze, spreading its free folds like an aegis,the gallant little vessel passed up the channel, and came to anchor inMobile Bay, amid the shouts of crew and garrison, and welcomed by a saluteof five guns.